INTERACTIVE EDITOR DALE JEWETT: It's not unusual to answer questions from a neighbor or passer-by when driving a luxury car or sports car for this job—but this is the first time a full-size van has earned me an impromptu chat. A guy driving a huge panel van stopped in the street as I was putting seats back into the NV Passenger. “Is that new?” he asked. So I gave him the lowdown—the NV is a new entry for Nissan in the full-size van segment; it uses the same truck platform and powertrains as the Titan pickup and Armada SUV; and Nissan is taking aim at the traditional segment powers: the Ford Econoline and Chevrolet Express.

And the woman at the fast-food drive-thru, who had just sold her conversion van, had questions, too. The big one: How's the gas mileage?

In short, not great. Because this van is classified as a heavy-duty vehicle, it doesn't get fuel-economy ratings from the EPA. But big vehicle plus truck platform plus V8 engine plus plenty of weight equals 12.1 mpg from my fill-up.

But if you need to haul stuff, this van is more than capable.

Drivers of a Titan or Armada will be instantly familiar with the layout of the NV van's instrument panel. This van has a center console box big enough to swallow an overnight bag and have room to spare. And the console's cover slides forward for extra arm-resting comfort, although doing so blocks two of the four cupholders available to the driver and shotgun passenger.

Behind the command center is seating for 10 people, arrayed 3-3-4 in three rows. The leather-covered seats looked comfortable. Each seat position has a belt that's anchored to the seat, not the van.

Sadly, the side and rear windows are fixed and do not open, even in a venting position. Also, the NV does not offer a sliding door on the left side, even though there's an obvious seam in the body side panel to make it so.

One other complaint: Each of the rear seats has a headrest—which is great for safety but all the headrests completely block the view out the rear windows, and that's with the seats empty.

My weekend with the NV was motivated by the need to pickup up a queen-sized mattress and goods for a college student. It would have been an easy to get the needed room in the van by folding down the seat backs—but they don't fold down! No, to go from passenger duty to cargo duty, the seats need to be removed. Each row of seats is split into two segments, a 2+1 configuration for the second and third rows and a 2+2 configuration for the fourth.

Be warned: This is a two-person job. Only the single-seat segments are easily lifted by one person—and being a bodybuilder helps here. And the van's ride height makes dropping a seat unit a real risk without some help.

Nissan helpfully includes wheels on the seat mount of the fourth-row units, making it easy to tilt and roll them around after they're out of the van. But no wheels could be found on any of the other seat units. Putting the seats back into the van can be quite the wresting match as you drag and wiggle each unit back to its proper mounting spot.

Whether loaded with seats, cargo or empty, the NV Passenger packs plenty of power. It launches from a stop smartly, and cruises quietly on highways with the engine turning less than 2,000 rpm. The steering feels firm but not heavy, and there's plenty of assist when maneuvering the NV at slow speeds in parking lots.

The Nissan NV looks like the baddest van in the land—and with a couple of slight changes, it would work even harder.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: I've driven more than my share of big honking vehicles in this job and in the past year as the designated Ryder truck driver for a load of band equipment. Based on that experience, it's safe to say this is the most well-mannered big-assed cargo vehicle I've been in, possibly ever. It's easy to keep it in a lane, easy to back up into a loading zone thanks to the backup camera and proximity sensors, and equally easy to drive into tight spaces and corners thanks to forward sensors and reasonable sight lines (for a big rig). I took out two rows of seats (with help) and carried two popcorn machines in for service, and the job was a cinch thanks to the NV. I could see where carrying a full load of people—seating capacity is 12, sheesh!—would be equally easy and comfortable for everyone involved.

At this price point, as equipped with a great adjustable driver's seat, a strong pulling V8 and reasonably appointed interior, the NV is my new favorite among the giant cargo haulers. It might not be good for carrying a load of dirt, but moving a piano would be a breeze.